Malabon City administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete shared the city’s Media and Information Literacy initiatives in the 4th International Webinar on Conversations with Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Experts.

“We are in an age where information from different sources can easily be accessed through social media, the internet, and the television. However, we must learn how to discern on which of these sources are reliable. In Malabon City, the local government aims to educate Malabueños in vigilance and help them learn how to identify legitimate information and become empowered residents and responsible users of social media. Our programs teach residents how to consume media critically and disseminate information effectively through multiple platforms,” Dr. Rosete said.

Rosete served as a session panelist during the event; he said that the city government integrates digitalization and MIL in several initiatives.

He shared that the LGU uses social media to deliver real-time updates to the residents such as local events, announcements, and natural disasters.

Meanwhile, the city government launched Malabon TV last January to provide a local news platform for the Malabuenos, which features health and wellness, entrepreneurship, and disaster preparedness.

The Malabon University (CMU) has a news platform called CMU I-Connect that allows journalism students to analyze and create reliable news content and participate in seminars and training workshops that promote MIL.

Dr. Rosete also shared that the local government launched programs such as the electronic Business One Stop Shop or E-BOSS that streamlines business renewal and registration processes; the Malabon City’s Intelligent Tutoring System that helps students get a personalized learning experience to develop their media literacy skills through interactive and accessible resources; the Malabon City Tourism XP that makes tourism and cultural information accessible; and the Malabon Ahon Alert 24/7 Alert App that boosts public safety and community engagement operations.

Residents can also contact the city government directly through Let’s Connect TXT MJS, a text-based platform where they can send feedback, report emergencies, and ask questions.

“As Malabon develops into a Media and Information Literate City, the local government is focused on expanding its programs not just for the city’s growth, but also for the security and benefit of the residents. Through these initiatives, we are looking forward to a better and more advanced future where Malabueños are smart and responsible users of media platforms, allowing communities to prosper while improving the engagement between the city leaders and the residents,” Dr. Rosete said.